People close to the project say SNC-Lavalin is poised to win second phase of shale gas development in northern Saudi Arabia

LONDON—The Saudi Arabian Oil Company, known as Saudi Aramco, is on the verge of awarding the contract to build the second phase of its shale gas development in the north of Saudi Arabia, according to people familiar with the project.

Canada’s SNC-Lavalin, alongside its U.K.-based subsidiary Kentz Group, is expected to sign a contract with Saudi Aramco to build the surface facilities for the project in Turaif after submitting the...